Hellobee Boards

I personally would prefer to gate check the car seat so it will be bumped around less. You can also buy a car seat bag to help protect it.

The TSA will not require identification for your LO but the airline might. We have only ever flown Southwest with LO but they always required a birth certificate to verify that she was eligible to be a lap infant (even when she was a newborn and clearly under 2 years old).

I would bring a copy of the birth certificate to be on the safe side.

You will be allowed to check the car seat for free. Whether you baggage check or gate check is up to you. I've always baggage checked because I generally have too much stuff to lug through the airport.

Are you also bringing a stroller? If so, you will need to check how many items you can gate check.

I would gate check it - that way if an empty seat is available you can get her a seat for free - my DS did much better when strapped in the car seat!

@MenagerieMama: We've never been allowed to board early....I don't think they do that anymore (at least they haven't on any of our flights). DH flew United alone with LO last week and was not allowed to board early.

@MenagerieMama: @lawbee11: I actually agree with NOT boarding early...I like getting him on last! More time to walk and bounce in the airport, etc.

@Mrs. J: We're flying next week and this is what we're planning to do. We bought LO a seat so DH is going to board first with our carry-ons and the car seat. Then I'll board last with LO.

LO is going on her second trip this weekend and we are again bringing her birth certificate. We brought it last time as well (lap infant at 15 months) but they didn't ask to see it. Now she's ticketed. No advice on the car seat, but have a good flight!

@ineebee: yep, I've flown a few airlines so far (not southwest though) and I've never had a problem checking the seat and the stroller base.
What you do is close to boarding (let's say when the previous passengers are deplaning) you put LO in your carrier/sling/etc (if they aren't already). Then you push the empty car seat/stroller combo to the plane and 99% of the time the baggage guys will help you by taking the car seat and helping fold the stroller. I've never even used a protective bag for either of them (though the snap n go is cheap so I don't care about damage). Then you just go on your merry way with LO in the carrier and your diaper bag. Not to get too far off topic but I high suggest taking NOTHING but the diaper bag on the plane with you. It's hard enough maneuvering with a baby on you and a diaper bag, I wouldn't do anything else.
You might also want to ask baggage guy to keep the carseat by the plane until everyone is boarded. If you have an empty seat next to you, the car seat is clutch. My son does way better on flights when he's in a car seat than when I'm holding him. But that's just my opinion and experience.

@ineebee: yep you can def gate check both a stroller and car seat on southwest! I do it all the time.

Just thought I'd throw it out there, but generally carseat techs and organisations like CSFTL don't recommend checking carseats due to the potential for rough handling and seat damage. The current advice is to book a seat for your LO and install the carseat on the plane.